Waitrose in Chichester prompts 'outrage' by swapping china for paper plates

'The rot has set in, be warned. Next it'll be tribute bands at the CFT, KFC in the Cathedral Gardens'

Chichester branch of Waitrose (Google Maps)

A branch of Waitrose has inspired mild-mannered "outrage" after one of its branches swapped china for paper plates in its cafe.

The supermarket's Chichester branch in West Sussex added to the disgruntlement by replacing china mugs with paper cups and sofas with wooden chairs.

Some critics pointed out the Waitrose branch in nearby Worthing still uses crockery in their cafe.

One woman told the Chichester Observer: "If you go into Waitrose you expect to be able to drink a cup of coffee from a real cup.

"You get that in Sainsbury’s in Chichester.

"You see them using paper plates and cups and you wonder what else they’re cutting back on."

The swap from china to paper plates took place at the same time Costa Coffee stopped running in-store cafe, for it to be taken over by Waitrose itself.

Many regulars have backed the supermarket's decision, saying they were glad Waitrose took over the cafe as long as the cups and plates were recyclable.

Twitter users saw the funny side.

A Waitrose spokesman said: “The feedback of our customers is hugely important to us and the comments we have received will help shape any future plan.”